NCsoft and ArenaNet issued a press release today announcing the launch of a multi-event Guild Wars Beyond campaign that will introduce player events that have "a profound effect" on the world in Guild Wars 2.

NCsoft and ArenaNet Celebrate Guild Wars 5th Anniversary with Guild Wars Beyond and the War in Kryta

This spring NCsoft® and ArenaNet® celebrate the fifth anniversary of Guild Wars® with Guild Wars Beyond, an ongoing campaign that expands upon the Guild Wars storyline by focusing on key characters and events that are destined to make history leading up to Guild Wars 2â„¢. The first such event, the War in Kryta, sweeps players up in a savage struggle between the oppressive White Mantle zealots and the Shining Blade rebels for the fate of Kryta.

Guild Wars Beyond allows players to experience the War in Kryta from the very beginning to its fateful finale through an intriguing viral campaign, a website that enhances the storyline, and with gripping new in-game content. They'll join the battle for Kryta by participating in exciting quests, taking part in decisive battles, and by purchasing the new White Mantle and Shining Blade costumes for their character. Guild Wars players will literally take part in history, as the War in Kryta has a profound effect on the world of Guild Wars 2.

Within the war, players help the Shining Blade rebels oppose the White Mantle, a militarized cult that rules Kryta, in the hopes of restoring the Krytan monarchy and installing Princess Salma as queen. The legacy of these deeds carries 250 years into the future, where Salma's descendent Queen Jennah leads the embattled humans in Guild Wars 2. In addition to Salma's storyline, the War in Kryta also focuses on several key characters that are destined to make history - Gwen, a brooding, beautiful mesmer, and Lieutenant Keiran Thackeray, a charr-hunting ranger. Gwen and Lt. Thackeray are destined to marry and establish the human city of Ebonhawke, a key location in Guild Wars 2, and their descendent, Logan Thackeray, is one of the iconic characters in Guild Wars 2.

In the coming months, Guild Wars Beyond will continue to unveil important Guild Wars 2 information and content via the current Guild Wars live game. For more information on Guild Wars and the War in Kryta, please visit www.guildwars.com.

About Guild WarsGuild Wars, Guild Wars Factionsâ„¢, Guild Wars Nightfallâ„¢, and Guild Wars: Eye of the North are best-selling online role-playing games played all over the world. In Guild Wars, players adventure through a beautiful, deadly land, facing off against magical creatures, forgotten races, vengeful spirits, and even a god. Players can choose to play the game solo, form a party with friends from anywhere in the world, or test their skills in player vs. player combat. The Guild Wars franchise operates on an enormously successful subscription-free business model which has attracted a vast and diverse global online community to the game.

About NCsoftNCsoft, headquartered in Seoul, Korea, is the world's premier publisher and developer of massively multiplayer online games, including the critically acclaimed Aion®, Lineage®, Guild Wars, City of Heroes® and Exteel® franchises. NCsoft West is a division of NCsoft that holds operating responsibilities for North America, Europe, South America, and Australia/New Zealand. More information can be found at http://us.ncsoft.com.